Most people are quick to agree that working from home sounds like a great proposition. Who doesn’t like the idea of working in the pajamas, traveling the world, and having flexibility over their schedule?
Now, thanks to the many remote job opportunities available, it’s easier than ever to launch a career based in your own home.
But the reality is, working from home isn’t for everyone. Ask yourself these five questions to determine if a remote job is right for you.
1. Do you have space to work from home?
Many full-time remote jobs may include a computer stipend, co-working allowance, and other perks. Meanwhile, if you become a self-employed freelancer, much of your workspace can be written off as a tax break – and put on a business credit card.
So before you take that remote job, make sure that you will be comfortable with the amount of space you have available.
2. Will people leave you alone and let you work?
The obvious culprits are your kids and spouse. Will you be able to work from home without someone stopping by your “office” every few minutes to ask you a question or request a favor?
But friends and extended family can be just as bad! Once people hear that you work from home, they may think that you would be the perfect person to give them a hand with random activities/chores in the middle of the day. After all, you aren’t at the office!
Before deciding to work from home, create a clear plan on how you will maintain control over your time and prevent distractions. If you treat time working from home as “real work” (which it is), you shouldn’t have any problems.
3. Can you stay motivated?
If you don’t have a timecard that you have to punch, a boss looking over your shoulder, and coworkers sitting right next to you, will you be able to maintain motivation? Staying healthy is important as swell. It's so easy to not move around enough. Try a home gym for your down time to stay the best you ever!
Some people have the ability to get a lot more done when they work from home. Others, however, go stir-crazy!
Make sure that you have the motivation to keep working – even on off days – and working from home will be an incredible experience.
4. How will your social life manage?
If you have a solid friend, family, or church community that you can lean on, then working from home can be a blast – with plenty of time in the evenings and on weekends to interact with others.
However, if you’ve recently moved to a new town or find yourself struggling to socialize outside of work, think twice before leaving your office to work from home. Going weeks without social interactions can be a very dreary way to live.
5. Are you going to be able to save for retirement?
Retirement isn’t cheap. Calculate how much you will need for retirement, and make sure that you are able to save this amount while working from home. While an employer (and often times, even remote employers) will provide you with a 401(k) and other benefits, if you’re self-employed, you must save for retirement on your own.
Therefore, being leaving to work from home, make sure that you have a solid plan in place to save for your own retirement.
Ultimately, freedom comes at a price
Having full control of your own schedule is truly rewarding. However, it also requires a tremendous amount of responsibility. If you’re able to manage your time and priorities, then working from home may give you the lifestyle you long for.
So how do you know if this is the right path for you? By giving it a test run! Before you quit your job, try working from home (for your current employer or as a freelancer) and see how well you do! You may be able to earn a few extra dollars in the evenings and on weekends – while trying this new lifestyle.
What are your thoughts? Do you think working from home is better or worse than working in an office? Share your thoughts below!
Author Bio: Rob Erich writes about the digital nomad lifestyle on MoneyNomad.com and discusses personal finance for InvestmentZen.com. When not working or blogging, Rob enjoys traveling and volunteering. You can follow him on Twitter: @MoneyNomadRob.
I have considered working from home for a while and then decided to wait until my children are out of the home. I would just spend my time being referee
ReplyDeleteMy husband works from home for an accounting firm. He locks himself in the office and does not come out, except for bathroom/lunch. It always amazes me that he can stay so focused on his work, instead of what we are all doing. It does take a lot of discipline.
ReplyDeleteI definitely love it for the fact that you can be your own boss
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